Garry Kasparov, the former chess world champion and prominent Russian opposition figure now living in the United States, has revealed that American and Lithuanian security services warned him his life was in danger, according to BBC News.
Writing on his Substack, Kasparov confirmed he was one of two dissidents advised to take safety precautions. He explained that whilst he had not been explicitly told he and Ivan Tyutrin, co-founder of the Free Russia Forum, were considered targets, both men received warnings about their security.
The disclosure follows an indictment unsealed earlier this month by the US Justice Department, which charged five individuals allegedly working for the Kremlin with plotting attacks and murders in multiple countries, including the United States. The targets reportedly focused on Russian dissidents and defectors.
Enhanced protection measures
Spanish newspaper El Mundo obtained information suggesting Kasparov and another Russian opposition figure, Ilya Ponomarev, were warned about the alleged plot during the summer by US authorities. Sources close to Kasparov told the publication he had been placed under enhanced protection over the summer, marking the first time such measures had been implemented since he moved to America.
Despite the threats, Kasparov declared he would not be deterred. “I will not stop and I will not hide, even if I thought it was possible to do so,” he wrote. “My family and I will not truly be safe as long as Putin is in power in Russia – a circumstance shared by millions.”
Kasparov retired from competitive chess in 2005 to pursue politics, founding movements that openly opposed Russian President Vladimir Putin. He fled Russia in 2013 and has not returned since. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow classified him as a foreign agent and subsequently added him to a list of terrorists and extremists in 2024 – labels he rejects.
Global assassination network uncovered
The US Justice Department stated that a network of individuals working for Russian intelligence services has operated since at least 2024. The so-called RIS Network has been accused of conspiring to conduct attacks and murders against Russian dissidents and defectors worldwide.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the five alleged network members had been “operating as part of a global assassination network that reached into the United States, attempting to recruit US citizens and foreigners to carry out killings at the behest of the Kremlin”.
Those accused of organising the plots are Yuri Khrameev, Kirill Khrameev, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, Yaidel Delgado Suarez and Angel Eduardo Castro. All five remain at large, according to the Justice Department.
Ponomarev, the other reported target, was the sole Russian MP who voted against the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 before going into exile in Ukraine. Speaking to the Moscow Times, he declined to confirm whether he had been warned but described the allegations as “a new level of escalation” by Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when the indictment was unsealed that he would not comment until he had heard or seen “any credible evidence” or “tangible facts”.
What this means for Poles in the UK
Members of the Polish community in Britain who are active in opposition movements against authoritarian regimes, or who have fled persecution, should remain vigilant about their personal security. The US indictment highlights how state-sponsored threats can extend across borders, including to Western countries.
Anyone who believes they may be at risk should report concerns to local police or contact the UK’s Action Fraud service for guidance. Those with specific intelligence about potential threats can contact the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. Polish nationals with concerns about their safety can also seek advice from the Polish Embassy in London or consular services across the UK.
